5 Steps to Dealing with Loneliness

Loneliness is one of the most painful of human emotions, and one of the most common as well. It can be debilitating, strength-sapping, and crippling in its force and power. Unlike other emotions such as anger, despair, or frustration, it is difficult for a person who is experiencing this feeling to exhibit it to others - we know what an angry person looks and acts like, but what about the one who is lonely?

Dealing with Loneliness

Fortunately, even for the shy and socially anxious among us, it is possible to combat this very human but negative emotion, given a desire and a will to do so. Here are a few tips on how to deal with loneliness.

1. Spend time in a crowd

From time immemorial, those who suffer from loneliness and those who work with those sufferers have recommended a dose of humanity. It may seem counter intuitive, and we have many times heard about the phenomenon of being lonely in a crowd. But unless you are completely withdrawn and in need of a hotline, going to a crowded mall, a zoo, or any other place where people congregate can be extremely and quickly therapeutic. Watching, listening, strolling, connecting in this situation is a source of energy that heals. Humans have an aura about them that is amplified when they get together, and the person suffering from loneliness can use that energy to make himself or herself feel better.

2. Make and be a friend

There are people at work and in other situations that you might be in who could use a friend - but you have to be able to reach out to them. For the socially anxious person, this is not an easy task, but the payoff is enormous. If you are in an environment that allows it, a simple hello or an innocent question can be the launching pad that will take you from being strangers to being friends. The simple act of communicating with other people will raise your endorphin levels, making you feel more human and less isolated, and who knows - it could lead to a date.

3. Go to church

Modern Christian churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples are places where people who have similar beliefs go for many reasons. What used to be a place strictly for worship has turned into a quite different kind of place in many instances. You don't even have to be of the particular faith of the place of worship to be welcomed for camaraderie and companionship, because most of these places are eager for new attendees, no matter what their initial purpose may be. By the time you find out or admit that you just can't agree with the spiritual path being presented, you may have made a friend and conquered that sense of being alone.

4. Join a club

Whether it's for sports, books, theater, music, or any of a thousand other interests, humans love to get together and talk. By seeking out a group that offers a chance to be with others with similar interests, you increase your chances of making your loneliness a distant memory. Most clubs or groups that are focused on a particular topic are very easy going, and you can practice overcoming your shyness while you are working on the loneliness problem too.

5. Work on yourself

As we often hear, if you don't love yourself, you can't expect to be loved by anyone else. A willingness to work on self improvement and to make an investment in your own well-being are extremely important for dealing with loneliness. Only by making real efforts and being absolutely honest with yourself will you be able to deal with the problem of loneliness. By making a commitment to a path that takes you into uncharted and sometimes uncomfortable waters, you are practicing self love. When you do this, you attract other people who can sense that you are a person who is worthy and deserving of love and companionship. Dealing with the feeling of loneliness is one of the most difficult and complicated things that we can do for ourselves. Because most lonely people are anxious in social situations, they find it hard to put themselves in experiences they need for growth and improvement. By practicing these steps for dealing with loneliness, you'll be on your way to a happier, more fulfilling future.